Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
PORTUGAL-based winger Cobert Chimedza (Jnr) has become the latest name to be added onto Warriors coach Marian “Mario” Marinica’s provisional squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
Marinica has stressed that he wants to give every deserving player a chance to represent the country at the AFCON which runs in Morocco from December 21 to January 18.
The Romanian gaffer will dedicate about a week to assess first-timers with a view to take them aboard as he seeks to lead the Warriors to the AFCON second round for what would be their first time in six attempts.
Rather than guaranteeing the regulars who have always failed to breach the second-round ceiling, Marinica has made it clear that every player has to earn their place.
He has called up several players for the first time including, MWOS’ Nigel Matinha and Ishmael Nyanhi of Simba Bhora who could easily fit into his “fast and very fast” philosophy.
And the coming of Chimedza is expected to give Marinica’s squad more depth, especially if he manages to break into the final travelling squad.
Chimedza, 20, turns out for AC Marinhense in the Portuguese lower division where he has impressed after joining on loan from Premiership side Gil Vicente.
Chimedza was part of AC Marinhense in the 0-3 defeat to league side and Portuguese giants Sporting in the fourth round of the Taça de Portugal Cup last week.
Speaking after his outstanding performance, Chimedza said: “I am proud to have put on a performance like this on a big stage. “I would like to salute my coaches and teammates for this opportunity.
“The display can only inspire me to do more. I am proud to be here in Portugal representing my country.
“I am eager to continue playing the way I have all my time here. I am enjoying myself here and I can only do better with more work.”
Chimedza first trained with the Warriors as a 16-year-old back in 2021 when he was still at MK Dons in England.
Zimbabwe was then under the tutelage of Croatian mentor Zdravko Logarusic and Chimedza got rave reviews from him as well as then vice-captain Ovidy Karuru.
Two years ago, the youngster came close to signing for Turkish side Adana Demirspor.
And he now has the chance to break into the national team and play at the AFCON where he could then attract interest from bigger leagues.
In announcing his provisional squad last week, Marinica said he will leave the door open for more recommendations.
“We could see more and more players coming to be assessed,” he said.
“We want to have a look at as many players as we can because we want the Warriors to be competitive.
“At the end of the day it is those players who show their class that will be drafted into the squad.” While Warriors fans have been skeptical of his stance, especially given the limited time left before the AFCON finals whose squads should be submitted by December 11.
But Marinica did the same with Malawi ahead of the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon and actually led the Flames to the round of 16 after coming through the group from which he beat Zimbabwe 2-1.
